For people with short hair, the conundrum of locks that cause is unfathomable. “How is that possible,” is the most common response. Understandably so, because at the end of the day, hair is just dead tissue.
How can it cause pain? The truth is, it’s a sensitive scalp that's causing you grief, and sometimes, it can be challenging to navigate. “The scalp is rich in nerve endings, and when these nerves become irritated or inflamed, it can lead to pain or discomfort in the hair follicles,” says Dr Kashish Kalra, hair transplant surgeon & founder of Dr Kalra Skin Clinic. , infections, or tension in the scalp muscles can increase the sensitivity of the nerve endings, making things like styling or even running your hands through your hair quite painful.
Hair/scalp pain is usually not a cause for concern but if it hurts often or for extended periods, it could indicate certain scalp disorders. "Dermatological conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and are common diseases that cause scalp discomfort," reveals Dr , founder of Skinfinity Derma. She recommends consulting a dermatologist to check for any underlying issues.
But generally, it's factors like harsh hair care products, washing too often with hard water, extreme weather conditions, sun exposure, and hairstyles that put too much tension on the scalp–it's probably what makes your ponytail hurt too. The experts also point out that stress affects the scalp a lot. Because when you're stressed, the body releases cortisol, .
